(Tampa, Fla.) — For the second consecutive year, the WPTDeepStacks headed to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa for a five-tournament, mid-major series. The 12-day festival kicked off last Thursday with the series-opening $570 buy-in, $300,000 guarantee. Tampa faithful joined players from all over the country for the event, ultimately seeing 738 generate a total prize pool of $369,000. Claiming the tournament’s top spot following a six-way chop was Thomas Larson of Mint Hill, N.C. Larson owned the chip lead six-handed and negotiated his way to a $54,580 score. In addition, he earned the property’s signature guitar trophy.

The 738-entry field bested even the most optimistic projections and marked a notable attendance increase year over year. With six total starting flights running at 11am and 6pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday, the weekend action is what helped push the tournament’s prize pool well above $300,000. The first four starting flights drew 354 entries combined, then Saturday’s action put the pedal to the metal. In all, 384 entered Saturday alone pushing the event over last year’s figure and garnering attention from players throughout the country.

The sizable field saw 146 return for Sunday’s Day 2 with only the top 72 finishing in the money. Play moved fast and Seminole Hard Rock Tampa ambassador Wally Maddah was among those who busted shy of the money. After just over two hours of play with 74 remaining, four players hit the rail simultaneously and tournament staff counted down stacks to verify who made the money. With that, bubble play was non existent and the event cruised into the money.

John Pappas (25th), Robert Majura (30th), Antuan Bunkley (31st), defending champion Claudemir Osorio (44th), Brandon Byars (60th) and defending WPTDeepStacks-Tampa Player of the Series Karl Manouchakian (66th) were among the notables to finish in the money.

Play narrowed to the final table after about nine total hours. There was some talk of a chop 10-handed, but Larson shot it down. By the time play narrowed to six, Larson, who held the chip lead, was satisfied with the deal which saw him earn the guitar trophy and nab better than second place money.

Michael Turton opened from early position to 140,000. John Dobson, who was on his direct left, jammed for about 600,000. It folded to Thomas Larson in the big blind and he shoved for more. Turton folded and Dobson was at risk and flipping with Larson.

Ty Wilson busted in 20th place just moments ago. Rather than head immediately to the payout desk, he was spotted keeping his seat warm at Table 1 while he finished the martini he brought back from dinner break.

Robert Rosetta open shoved for 83,000 and it folded to Ty Wilson. He called putting the short stack at risk.

Wilson: Rosetta:

A flop gave Rosetta outs to a chop in addition to his out to the pair. The turn gave him that chop, but the river fell with a fury. Wilson improved to Broadway when the dealer revealed the on fifth street. Rosetta was left bust and hit the rail 40th.

Players are on their second break of the day and tournament staff is coloring up some chips and putting the blue 25,000s in play. With 44 players remaining it’s Bill Burdick who appears to lead the way with a stack of 680,000.

Kevin Hazzard got it started with a raise to 23,000. It folded to an unknown player in the cutoff and he called. From there, it folded to Daniel Griggs — who claimed one of the biggest stacks in the room — in the big blind and he defended. They were three ways.

Flop: — Action checked around.

Turn: — Griggs and Hazzard checked sending the action to the cutoff. He bet 50,000. Griggs reached into his stack and raised to 130,000. It was on Hazzard and he insta-shoved for 322,000. The cutoff went into the tank for about a minute before folding. It was back on Griggs. He had a decision on his hands and ultimately found a call.

Hazzard: for kings upGriggs: for the nut flush draw

Hazzard was the at-risk player.

River: — The river spade improved Griggs to a pair, but it wasn’t enough. He shipped a double across the table to Hazzard who subsequently took the chip lead.